Kona Ute

Cargo bikes are a good choice for commuters who use their bike for everything from driving their kids to school to grocery shopping. There are a number of popular cargo bikes on the market today, but the Kona Ute stands out in reviews for its value -- many comparable cargo bikes cost hundreds of dollars more. The Kona Ute is a longtail bike, and it has a wooden rear platform with a bright orange pannier. Like most cargo bikes, it also has a double kickstand and fenders. In general, reviewers love the Kona Ute. They say it's very stable and comfortable to ride, and although it can be slow to accelerate (because of its 40-pound weight), it cruises along nicely once it gets up to speed. Two downsides are mentioned most often in reviews -- the Kona Ute is not compatible with the popular Xtracycle cargo accessories, and reviewers say the bike is best suited for moderate loads only. If you haul very heavy cargo on a regular basis, the Surly Big Dummy (MSRP: $2,450) may be a better choice, but it's more expensive.

We found a number of good reviews for the Kona Ute. The cycling blog BikeCarson.com has a detailed review of the Kona Ute, and Stephen Regenold (aka Gear Junkie) also tests the bike and shares his observations on Outside magazine's Facebook page. Mountain Bike Action also has a shorter overview. BikeRadar.com and BikeHugger.com write excellent reviews, with detailed overviews of the components, ride and handling, but both review the 2008 model. Most of these reviewers test the bike, so their opinions are based on real-world riding.